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Please read these instructions before use!
INSTRUCTIONS
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Position the charger in a cool, dry and well-ventilated space, ensuring a reasonable airflow around the
charger. Do not install in a cupboard or in a sealed compartment.
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Install as close to the batteries as possible, preferably within 2 metres of the batteries.
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This unit is fitted with an automatic 110V/230V crossover switch. As such the following input voltage may be used :
80V-130 V or 170V-280V at any frequency between 40Hz and 400 Hz.
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The cable has to be at least 6mm² for 10amps to 20amps and 16mm² for 30amps. In case you have to install the
unit further away from the batteries, increase the cable thickness to compensate for voltage drops in the line. (See
Table 1.)
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Before switching the charger on, it is important to set up the battery type. Please choose a battery type according to
Fig.1. The charge rate (and voltage) will be highest for open lead-acid batteries (set to 14.8V/29.6V on high
charge), then sealed/gel/AGM batteries (European setting, set at 14.4V/28.8V) and then gel/AGM batteries
(American setting at 14.2V/28.4V). AGM and gel voltages tend to vary among manufacturers, so please check
which voltage your batteries require! Confirm that the L.E.D. indicates the correct battery type.
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When different types of batteries are to be charged, the battery type with the lowest absorption voltage must be
selected. Never charge a battery on a higher setting than it should!
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The small set of 3 switches (Fig. 2) changes the time of the absorption charge by approx. 1 hour per switch. In order
to set these switches divide the battery bank size by the amperage of the battery charger (e.g. a 20amp charger for
a total battery bank of 200 amps hours would give you a ratio of 10.)
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If the ratio is between 1 and 4, leave all switches “on” and the absorption time will be approximately 1 hour. This
is ususally ideal for standard leisure boat use or livaboard use.
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If the ratio is between 5 and 9, turn switch 1 “off” and the others “on”. The absorption time will be approximately
2 hours. This is generally suitable for boats which use shore power only and which are used regularly, i.e.
disconnected from shore power every day.
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If the ratio is between 10 and 13, set switches 1 and 2 to “off” and switch 3 to “on”. The absorption time will be
approximately 3 hours. Usually suitable for boats which use generators or shore power to charge the batteries
about once a week.
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For a ratio from 14 to 18 leave all switches in the “off” position for about 4 hours absorption time. Suitable for
boats where batteries are charged mainly from generators and for all gel batteries.
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Having set the battery type and the absorption time switches, the charger should be installed and will only need to
be altered if there is a change in battery type or size.
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Connect the cables as indicated in Fig 3.
Where only one
battery is being charged, connect the surplus positive output terminals to the other used output terminal. This
ensures correct regulation; failure to do this will reduce the charging performance.
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The charger may be mounted in any position. Always connect the cables to the charger first, then run them to the
batteries. Never connect any cables to the batteries before running them to the charger!
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Warning:
The charger case is earthed as per international regulations. On most boats, the A/C earth is connected
to the bonding system and then to the negative of the battery. This means that the case could be negative. If a
positive battery cables touches the case, this can set up a dead short to the battery negative via the earth cable and
melt the earth cable; this could start a fire. To avoid this, ensure the battery connectors on the output studs do not
touch the charger case. Use insulated output connectors. It is also recommended that all the charger outputs have
a 50A fuse. (Sterling fuseholder GMFB-4848 not included.)
Always ensure that all the terminals are being used!
S
TERLING
Pro Charge
BATTERY CHARGER / POWER PACK
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
2